We talk a lot about back-to-school safety for drivers who will be commuting through school zones and around buses. We also hear a lot about pedestrian safety for kids who are walking or biking to school. But an often-overlooked safety concern is teens who are now driving themselves to school. No matter how well they have been taught, and no matter how safety-conscious they may be, new drivers are at risk simply because of lack of experience. It takes a while to become comfortable behind the wheel – and the combination of not enough practical driving experience along with a teen tendency toward overconfidence can lead to poor decisions. This month I’ll talk about the laws that apply specifically to teen drivers. Next month I’ll talk about safety for teens behind the wheel.

First and foremost, make sure your teen is legally authorized to drive. Teens can get a learner driving permit at age 15 after taking the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, passing a vision and hearing test, and passing a 50-question exam about traffic laws and signs. They can get their regular license after having their learner license for one year, or upon turning 18.

There are several regulations that apply only to young drivers. If a minor gets six points on their driving record within 12 months, their privileges are automatically restricted to “business only” so they can only drive to school and work. If they are convicted of a tobacco offense their license is revoked for 30 days. And parents, you had to sign consent for your child to have a license, so remember that you can revoke that consent at any time and cancel their license if they aren’t following state laws, or your rules at home.

Of course, kids should never be drinking alcohol under any circumstances, but Florida has a zero-tolerance policy for young drivers who have consumed any alcohol at all. While the adult limit is .08, if a driver under age 21 has a blood alcohol level of .02 their license is automatically suspended for six months for the first offense, 12 months for the second. If they refuse to submit to a breath test, their license is suspended for 12 months for the first offense, 18 months for the second.

It is even more dangerous for new drivers to be on the road at night, and there are laws limiting when they can drive. Those with a learner license can only drive during daylight for the first three months they have their license, and until 10:00 p.m. after that. They must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is age 21 or older.

Some people don’t realize that there are still time restrictions even after they have a full license. At age 16, they can only drive between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and at age 17 only between 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. The only exceptions to this rule are when they are driving to or from work, or with a licensed driver age 21 or older.

Make sure your teens are following both the law and common sense as they explore their new independence on the road.